Palmarosa Essential Oil is also known by the name of Cymbopogon martinii and is a species of grass from lemon grass genus. Best known by the common names palmarosa, Indian geranium and rosha grass, the essential oil extracted from the shoot part of the plant contains active compound geraniol that is valued for its scent as well as for number of traditional medicinal & household applications. The oil is also well recognized as a effective insect repellent. Cymbopogon martini is an evergreen, tufted, aromatic grass with numerous erect culms arising from a short, stout, woody rhizome. The stems are up to 3 metres tall. The plant has been gathered from the wild since antiquity, and this method still produces an important portion of the essential oil. However, the plant has also been cultivated since the beginning of the 20th Century and is now grown in several areas of the tropics. Palmarosa oil has gradually lost importance in the world market, being replaced by low-cost synthetic or natural geraniol. The natural oil is still preferred in high quality perfumes, however, especially in the Middle East.

A close relative of Lemongrass, Palmarosa is another sweet smelling member of a family of fragrant grasses native to India. Its scent is reminiscent of Geranium and Rose, a fact that was not lost on crafty and devious oil sellers looking for an opportunity to increase their profits. Its old name 'Turkey Rose oil', serves as reminder of the once common, though unethical practice of cutting expensive oils (such as true Rose) with cheap ones such as Palmarosa. Nowadays controls are tighter and people have gained an appreciation for Palmorosa's own virtues, particularly in the field of cosmetics and as a flavouring agent. It is traditional in Ayurveda and Unani medicine and is becoming more and more popular in aromatherapy as well.